Age and generation conditions of quartz crystal deposits in the Subpolar Urals

Abstract

Research subject. The Dodo and Puiva quartz crystal deposits in the Neroiskiy mineral province (Subpolar Urals) were studied. Although these deposits have received sufficient research attention, a number of issues remain to be elucidated, including the age of crystal-bearing mineralization and the age of host rocks. Aim. In this work, we aim to determine the age of the metasomatites that bear quartz crystal mineralization and to develop a model of the formation of the Dodo and Puiva deposits. Materials and Methods. 40Ar/39Ar dating was carried out according to the method described by A.V. Travin et al. The argon isotope composition was measured on a Micromass 5400 mass spectrometer (IGM SB RAS). Results. Microprobe studies of the mineralogy of the Dodo and Puiva quartz crystal deposits were carried out. The temperatures of meta-somtaite formation were determined to range within 339–364°C. Six main structural and morphological types of quartz veins were identified and described. The 40Ar/39Ar ages of mica of quartz crystal deposits and host metamorphic schists were determined. Reliable plateaus were obtained, the values of which ranged within 251–257 Ma and agreed with each other within the deviation (average for 4 dates is 255 ± 2 Ma). Conclusion. A new model for the formation of quartz crystal deposits in the Subpolar Urals is proposed. The obtained 40Ar/39Ar ages correspond to the period of the post-orogenic extension of the Urals. At that time, a system of meridional grabens and rifts was formed in the Urals and in the West Siberian Plate. At the same time, and as a result of the same stretching impulse, large blocks of the middle crust (granite, schist, etc.) were brought to the Earth’s surface in the Urals. During the rise of deep blocks, at a depth of 10 km, a sharp, approximately 3-fold drop in fluid pressures (from lithostatic to hydrostatic) and a strong decrease in temperatures due to adiabatic expansion and the throttling effect occurred. The obtained 40Ar/39Ar ages (255 Ma) reflect not only the age of the quartz crystal deposits of the Subpolar Urals, but also place the moment of rise of the entire Central Ural uplift above a depth of 10 km, i.e., to the level of the upper cortex.